Agriculture technocrats protest in Mohali

Mohali, July 25

Agriculture technocrats, under the aegis of the Plant Doctors Services Association, Punjab, held a protest outside the office of Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare here today. They were protesting against the government decision to depute Agriculture Extension Officers (AEOs) on the posts meant for Agriculture Development Officers (ADOs).

They raised slogans against the government during the protest, which lasted throughout the day. Agriculture Development Officers (ADOs) from across Punjab had converged here for the protest. The association members said the protest would continue till the orders were withdrawn.

It is learnt that there are 800 posts for ADOs, and 233 posts in the department are reserved for Agriculture Extension Officers. The posts for the AEOs, who are diploma holders in agriculture sciences, were reserved in 2013.

“Since their qualifications are different, they cannot be deputed on posts meant for ADOs,” said Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, president of the union.

After the daylong protest, Agriculture Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal called the office-bearers of the union for talks tomorrow to resolve the issue.